CROP SELECTION / PLANNING

Basic Growing Different Vegetable Crops Introductory Vegetable Production Different types e.g. snow/garden/snap peas Soil / Climate Seeding / Transplanting Temperature germination rates Growing Temperature Plant depth Planting density / spacing Suggested CVs / Varieties Fertility / H2O Common issues Harvest / Post Harvest Covered in other presentations Crop Types Many different crops out there Cool season vs. warm season Fresh vs. storage Wide range within each crop type CROP SELECTION / PLANNING Crop Planning Want to: Maximize yields Maximize profitability Meet ongoing customer demand Crop Rotations Improving soil structure and quality Soil conservation Pest management Variety ( is the spice of life) Generally 3 4 years, if possible 1

Crop Planning Drivers Insta Poll (Discussion) What factors influence the crops that you grow? Market Customer preferences Personal preferences Climatic / Location limitations Rotations Regulations? Selecting Varieties Market Demands / Drivers Climatic Limitations Variety Trials / Information Selecting Varieties Markets Range of market drivers Customer demands Current Future Depends on market channel, population base, etc. Some stability / Some shifting E.g. Pumpkins Cabbage Ethnic vegetables Selecting Varieties Climatic Limitations Many factors should be considered when making crop choices Season length (frost free period) varies region to region Moisture Temperature Elevation Days to Maturity What does it mean? Some tools can be used to predict maturation dates Variety Information Sources On Farm Trials Universities / Government Seed Companies Inter farm consultation On farm trials / Personal experience 2

Seed Suppliers University / Government A number of different companies Often have representatives for Alberta or Western Canada PLANTING CONSIDERATIONS How to Start Plants Seeds vs. Transplants Seeds Potentially faster and simpler than transplants Lower cost for planting Good quality seedbed is required Seedlings may be exposed to unfavorable growing conditions initially Plant stand can be variable Thinning may be required How to Start Plants Seeds vs. Transplants Transplants Reduced emergence problems More uniform plant stand Reduced seedbed quality requirements Promotes good root system development Faster / Higher / More dependable yields Additional Costs / Challenges / Facilities for production of quality transplants equipment &/or more labor required Seeding Considerations Seed Quality: % Seed Germination Seed vigor Field Factor Seed size Seeding depth 3

Seed Quality Characteristics A crop of vegetables can be poorer than the seed that was planted but can t be better High quality seed is: Clean Viable Vigorous Free from Disease True to type Percent Germination Typically, not all seeds will germinate (% germination) Environmental conditions (air & soil) have an effect (Field factor) typically negative Need to adjust seeding rate accordingly Seed Size Range of sizes Even within crop species Affects Rate (lb/ac) Depth Comparative examples Cucurbits Lettuce Seed Shape / Uniformity Seed shape is not always uniform (affects planting efficiency) Seed coating can help with this More efficient with seeding equipment Examples Lettuce Plant Density Spacing influenced by: Final plant size Field/row layout Equipment requirements Significant impact on produce quality Rows may be grouped in multiples for some crops Insta Poll (Discussion) What effect does plant spacing have? 4

Achieving Accurate Plant Density Uniform plant spacing affects total yield and quality E.g. potatoes Too close = average tuber size decreases Too wide = too many oversize tubers Overall yield = not necessarily affected Precision seeding Thinning Transplants / Vegetative Propagation Soil Temperature & Seed Germination Each crop has an optimal germination temperature range Rate of germination is increased as temperature increases within range temperatures determine seeding dates Seed Germination Rates CROP Germination Rate (days) Beans 7 Peas 7 14 Cole Crops 5 10 Potatoes 7 14 Carrots 12 15 Corn 7 10 Cucurbits 7 10 Lettuce 7 10 Onions 10 14 Tomatoes 7 14 Vegetative Propagation Transplants Other plant material Tubers (e.g. potatoes) Crowns (e.g. asparagus) Crown divisions (e.g. rhubarb) Bulbs / Sets (e.g. onions, garlic) Propagule requirements depends on plant spacing and field layout Quality Transplants Good, healthy root system NOT root bound Stems are sturdy NOT stretched (leggy) and thin NOT overgrown appropriate age of transplants will vary with crop (e.g. tomatoes vs. cucurbits) Properly hardened off Free from diseases/insects NOT stressed (light / fertilizer / water) NOT overly succulent (tender) Reducing Transplanting Stress Healthy, appropriately aged plants with well developed root system Properly harden off plants Reduce fertilizer / Allow plants to dry out Place outside in direct sunlight Reduce or increase temperature depending on outside conditions Ensure moisture level in root ball is topped up before planting 5

Reducing Transplanting Stress (continued) Plant on calm, cool, overcast days if possible OR early/late in day When planting Ensure proper depth / soil to root contact Water in with high P fertilizer water at planting Place plants in sheltered location while waiting to plant Vegetative Propagation Only use quality, healthy plant material Ensure good growing conditions Warm, well drained soils; good growing conditions; adequate spacing Ensure adequate time for establishment prior to harvesting (e.g. asparagus Perennial Plants Overwintering Perennial crops (e.g. asparagus, garlic, rhubarb) May require protection Straw cover Row/field covers Snow cover VEGETABLE CROP OPTIONS Vegetable Crop Options Can grow a wide range of crops Options: Succulent legumes (peas, beans) Cole Crops (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) Root crops (carrots, etc.) Potatoes Leafy Greens (lettuce, spinach, etc.) Cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, etc.) Bulb veggies (onions, etc.) Fruiting veggies (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants) SUCCULENT LEGUMES 6

Succulent legumes Most common: Peas garden, snow, sugarsnap Beans snap (yellow, green), bush or vine Less common: Snow peas Lima, broad beans Etc. Peas Types Different types Fresh/English/Garden Grown for fresh peas (shelled) Snow Entire pod is eaten (pod is tender) Peas do not develop inside (flat) Snap/Sugarsnap Entire pod is eaten but peas have developed (rounded) 1 2 inches deep 6 inches (Double rows) 24 inches (single rows) 1 2 inches in row PEAS Peas Growing 4 7 18 21 16 18 29 24 Stagger plantings; Harvest every 2 4 days starting 3 weeks after flowering 55 75 days; Snap peas = longer DTM Generally prefers cooler temperatures; Can be planted early; Can tolerate a light frost Tolerates a range of soil types Some suggested CVs Trellis / String up lifts up plants; improves airflow and reduces disease Knight; Spring; Green Arrow; Mr. Big Beans Types Bush Beans Dry Lima, Broad, etc. String / Snap Bush beans determinate Pole beans indeterminate Different colours 1.5 2 inches deep 24 36 inches 1 2 inches Rich, fertile, well drained loam soil 7

Pole Beans Beans Growing 30 inches BEANS 1.5 2 inches deep 6 inches 15 10 23 29 16 24 35 27 Stagger plantings 3 weeks apart 48 70 days; Bush type have a shorter DTM Warm season crops; sensitive to cold Rich, fertile, well drained loam soil Some suggested CVs Jade; Jade 2; Valentino; Carson (yellow); Eureka (yellow) Cole Crops Types COLE CROPS Includes a range of cool season crops All within the Brassica family Most commonly grown Cabbage Green (most common), red, savoy (crinkled) Early, mid, late, storage, etc. Broccoli Cauliflower Some types are self blanching (leaves wrap heads) Less often grown Brussels sprouts, rutabaga/turnips, kohlrabi, ethnic vegetables (bok choy, etc.) Currently HOT = KALE Cabbage plants a bit of a different variety Broccoli plant 8

~3 feet Self blanching Cauliflower plant Shallow <1/2 inch Rich, loam soils 4 6 inches (seeded) 12 inches (final/transplanted) Cole Crops Growing COLE CROPS 4 4.4 18 29 15 18 38 24 Stagger plantings 3 weeks apart Cab = 70 120d; Broc = 65 80d; Caul =55 90d (from transplant) Cool season crops; frost tolerant; hardened transplants can take small amount of frost; mature cabbage can take 4 5 C ROOT CROPS Some suggested CVs Can be direct seeded or grown from transplants Consider using both methods to stagger harvest dates Broccoli = Acadia; Imperial; Diplomat; Lieutenant (new) / Cabbage = Platinum Dynasty; Blue Dynasty; Huron (sauerkraut); Blue Vantage (cole slaw) / Cauliflower = Minute Man; Fremont Root Crops Most common: Carrots Beets Radishes range of types Less common Rutabaga/turnips insect issues Parsnips tend to need a longer season Carrot Types Different shapes and sizes Nantes Cylindrical with rounded tip Small core = sweet carrot Stores poorly; eaten fresh Imperator Long, tapering root Late maturing Fibrous core Stores very well Imperator type Photo by genericseeds.com Nantes type Photo by heirloomseedswap.com 9

Carrot Types Chantenay type Photo by underwoodgardens.com Different shapes and sizes Chantenay Intermediate between Nantes & Imperator Tapered shape with rounded tip Sweet like Nantes Danvers type Danvers Photo by theopportunity88.blogspot.net Medium length, conical & thicker than Imperator Other colours are now available INSTA POLL (DISCUSSION) WHAT FACTOR MAKES FOR A SWEET CARROT? 0.25 0.5 inches 18 24 inches Prefer sandy loam soils Can grow on all soils 1 inch Can be grouped in double rows or beds Carrots Growing CARROTS Some suggested CVs 4 7 23 26 15 18 35 24 Stagger plantings Needs a nice, deep seedbed Can use a raised bed to deepen growing area Presto; Bolero 50 95 days Relatively cool season crop; Plant relatively early in the season Potatoes POTATOES Over 5 acres = mandatory membership and levies to Potato Growers of Alberta Range of types Different skin and flesh colours and textures Different end uses Commonly grown in most operations Early/baby potatoes always in demand 10

Potato Cultivars Boiling Potatoes Slightly wet, waxy flesh All shapes and sizes Exterior Red, white, russetted Interior White, creamy, yellow E.g. Norland, Yukon Gold, Pontiac Norland potatoes Potato Cultivars Baking Potatoes Typically drier, mealy texture Exterior is typically russeted (netted) or may be white skinned Often oblong shape E.g. Russet Burbank Russet Norkotah Russet Burbank potatoes Potato Cultivars Frying / Chipping Potatoes Drier flesh, low sugar White skinned Chipping potatoes = round E.g. Atlantic Frying potatoes = oblong shape E.g. Russet Burbank, Shepody Shepody potatoes Chipping cultivar Potato Cultivars Range of other colours and shapes available Banana Purple skinned Purple fleshed Pink/Red fleshed Baby/new potatoes Earlier harvests and/or Varieties that put out lots of tubers 34 38 inches 4 7 inches (in furrow) 8 14 inches (hill later on) Wider distances = larger potatoes Narrower spacing = smaller potatoes Medium to sandy loam soils are preferred Drain well, don t stick or clump No stones Potatoes Growing POTATO Suggested Cultivars 7 7 16 24 16 18 24 Harvest once tubers are formed Varies with type / cultivar Hilling recommended to protect from exposure to sun Removing / killing tops 14 days = skin set and toughening Sensitive to spring and fall frosts; Tuber initiation = when flowering; Norland (red); Bintje or Yukon Gold (yellow); Banana & purples (range of names) 11

Leafy Green Vegetables LEAFY GREEN VEGGIES Most common Lettuce head, leaf, romaine Spinach Swiss Chard Less common (at least historically) Beet, turnip or mustard greens (tops) Mixed greens, Mesclun mix (radicchio, etc.) Mesclun mix Coloured Buttercrunch type lettuce Various lettuce transplants Spinach (and some weeds) 12

Leafy Greens Growing 0.25 0.5 inches 12 24 inches 8 14 inches Some types can grow in clusters/clumps LEAFY GREENS 0 7 18 21 15 18 29 24 Stagger plantings to maintain fresh, tender quality; may use transplants Relatively short DTM (depending on type) 37 85d Typically thrive at cool temps; Issues with high temps; Not tolerant of moisture stress; Will grow on a range of soil types Some suggested CVs Romaine type lettuces = more tolerant of heat Range of choices for different types Cucurbits CUCURBITS Wide range of fruiting vegetables Most common Cucumbers slicing, pickling Summer squash zucchini, scallop squash Winter squash acorn, buttercup, butternut, spaghetti, Hubbard, turban, etc. Less Common Melons muskmelon/cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, etc. Cucurbits Growing 3 12 feet CUCURBITS 0.5 2 inches (depends on type seed size) Will grow on a range of soils if well drained 3 inches to 8 feet Can grow on mulch, on hills/mounds/ridges or with companion plants Some suggested CVs 15 16 21 29 18 24 38 32 Can be grown from seed or transplants Cuc = 50 70d; Other cucurbits = varies (typically long season) Transplants need 3 4 weeks to develop (1 2 true leaves) Sensitive to frost; Almost all are wide spreading vine crops Pucini (pickling); Mongoose (later slicer); Dominator (early slicer); Sassy (pickling); Jackson Classic; Fancipak; Vlasspik 13

Cucurbits Flowering Typically monoecious (separate male & female flowers on same plant) First flowers are male Some hybrids are gynoecious Predominately female flowers Need normal plants to provide pollen (typically provided in seed packet) BULB VEGGIES Bulb Veggies Different types Dry bulb onions Yellow, white, red, Spanish Green onions Leeks Garlic Softneck, elephant, etc. Etc. Spanish Onions 12 24 inches 1 2 inches 2 4 inches Garlic Will grow on all soils, but prefer loam soils 14

Bulb Veggies Growing BULB VEGGIES Some suggested CVs 0 7 21 23 13 24 35 29 Grown from seeds, sets (mini bulbs) or other vegetative forms Varies widely depending on type & CV Average = 90d; Sweeter types = longer DTM Can grow at somewhat cooler temperatures; Some pre harvest treatment should be applied (mechanical or chemical) to improve drying down and eventual storability; cure prior to storage Lots of options for red, yellow, storage types; Walla Walla (long season sweet spanish); SWEET CORN Sweet Corn Growing 1 inch deep ~3 feet 6 inches Can grow on a range of soil types Must be well drained SWEET CORN Some suggested CVs 10 10 21 29 15 24 40 35 Plant after risk of frost is past; early = slower growth; Rule of Thumb = Knee high by 4 th of July 60 100+ days (depends on type & CV) Warm season crop; Many different types of corn available range of maturity, sweetness, kernel colour, etc.; Wind pollinated; Avoid planting different types together can result in off types and poor quality; ~150 foot separation to prevent cross pollination Pay Dirt (bicolour); Lots of other choices available INSTA POLL (STAND UP/ SIT DOWN) DO YOU PREFER YELLOW OR BICOLOUR CORN? Characteristic Sugar content Tolerance of cool soil Time to maturity Sugar to Starch Conversion (post harvest) Post harvest lifespan Other characteristics Recommended Cultivars Standard Sweet (su) Average 10 12% Sugar Enhanced (se) Supersweet (sh2) Augmented Supersweet (shq) Higher than (su) Very high Very high Good Higher than (su) Sensitive Relatively quick (5 days earlier) Longer than (su) Long 3 days later (avg) Long Synergistic Sweet (SY) or Triplesweet (tsw) Mix of (sh2), (se) and (su) Variable Long Rapid Slow Very Slow Very Slow Slow Short Good Excellent Excellent Earlivee, Seneca Horizon More tender and higher moisture content than (sh2) Chochise, Grant, Seneca Tomahawk, Sunray Must be isolated from (se) types or quality declines Northern Xtra Supersweet, Confection, Candy Corn Must be isolated from (se) and (su) types High quality kernels Fantastic, Mixes traits of all three types; Must be isolated from (sh2) types Bojangles, Polka, Revelation 15

Sweet Corn Growing Male and female flowers on each plant Wind pollinated Separate different types by at least ~150 feet Prevent cross pollination Ruins quality of some types Sweet Corn Shortening DTM Since corn is a long season crop Growing from transplants is tedious but possible Use larger pots or plugs to provide them with lots of room Use clear plastic mulch to heat the soil in which the seeds are planted, then remove once plants emerge Consider the use of a biodegradable/compostable mulch Use row or field covers Tomato Types WARM SEASON FRUITING VEGETABLE CROPS (TOMATOES, PEPPERS, EGGPLANTS) Beefsteak Large, seedy, thin skinned Roma / Plum Small, oval to pear shaped, thick skinned, meaty Cherry / Grape Small, round, sweet Tomato Types Campari Sweet, low acid, in between roma and cherry in size Heirloom types Not truly representing a different type, but are older cultivars of different types Often considered to have better flavour Quality can be less than perfect Low disease resistance May have longer time to maturity Peppers A wide range of different kinds Sweet bell Hot / Chili Banana etc. Mature to different colours Red, yellow, orange, brown, etc. 16

Peppers Pepper Type Scoville Rating (Scale of Heat not hotness) Sweet Bell 0 Anaheim Chile 2,500 Ancho (a.k.a. pablano) 2,000 Banana (a.k.a. Pimento) 500 Cayenne 60,000 Habanero 325,000 570,000 Jalapeno 5,000 Red Chili 100,000 Serrano 25,000 Thai 100,000 Wax 0 5,000 0.25 inches (seeded) Transplant deeply 24 36 inches 18 24 inches FRUITING VEGETABLE CROPS Some suggested CVs Fruiting Vegetable Crops Growing 10 15 18 23 29 21 24 35 27 Must be transplanted to achieve marketable produce 60 85 days (from transplanting) Tomato transplants require 6 8 weeks from seeding (longer for peppers/eggplants); Warm season crops; Need a long period of time to mature; NOT tolerant of cold conditions; Do not overfertilize Lots of options most won t mature completely; make selections based on time, type, use and market demand Fruiting Vegetable crops Growing Benefit from the use of covers Must be permeable or perforated Overheat with solid, clear plastic or glass covers Flowers will abort Peppers = self pollinated Can leave the covers on permanently Tomatoes Must remove covers prior to flowering starting Fruiting Vegetable Crops Growing Temperature of peppers (capsaicin content) is affected by: Cultivar Weather Green tomatoes and peppers will change colour after harvest (if they are mature enough) No change in sweetness or heat INSTA LAUGH (HORTICULTURAL PRACTICAL JOKES) WHICH END OF THE HOT PEPPER SHOULD YOU BITE? (AND WHICH SHOULD YOU OFFER TO A FRIEND?) 17

QUESTIONS??? Rob Spencer, BSA, MSc, P.Ag. Commercial Horticulture ist robert.spencer@gov.ab.ca Alberta Ag Info Centre 310 FARM 18